I watched with great interest the World Tour of Obama during the past week. As an American, and particularly as a black American male I have to say I am very proud of this man and what he is doing, although politically I disagree with a lot of his policies. Did you pay attention? How do you feel about the tour? Americans? Europeans? Others?
My top 3 positives and negatives:

POS:
-He is extremely charismatic and represents the USA (and BM) very well.
-He set his own agenda and stuck to it, calling for more troops in Afghanistan, pushing his stimulus policies and encouraging troops in Iraq
-He not only visited “Old Europe” (England and France), but he almost made stops to see other key allies (Czech republic, Turkey).

NEG:
-North Korea launched a missile during the same time period and we didn’t do a damn thing to stop it
-Obama IMO apologized to much for the US being the US
-His overtures towards the Muslim world made sense but I think he went too far by implying that we somehow had a previous policy of being anti-Muslim

 

Great analysis, you sound like you should've did this piece on CNN because you were very objective in your criticism. This is why I find myself watching CNN all the time because it shows both sides of the spectrum and they try to be as unbiased as they can.

I can't really watch the 2 other political news networks because one is a little too far to the left, and the other network is waaay too far to the right. I like variety and objective opinions when I get my news.

 

He's just another American president who thinks he has all the answers and can save the world. I've seen it a million times before

 

Decent review, my conservative friend, but how many times did he actually "apologize"? I'm thinking he said something maybe once and the internet and right-wing lunatics ran with it. To let the wingnuts tell it, he was steppin' and fetchin' for European leaders.

Also what would we have done about Korea's missile launching? Clinton and Bush never stopped them, either.

And yes, Bush 43's de facto position was indeed anti-Muslim no matter how much you want to parse it, or else Obama wouldn't have had to make the effort to reverse it.

The true superstar of the tour was Mrs. Michelle Obama, IMO. The evolution of Mrs. Obama has been something to watch.

 

Why does he have to apologize all the damn time. Some see this as a sign of weakness.

 

Again with this "all the time." When exactly did he say anything remotely resembling "I'm sorry?" And exactly how many times did he say this?

Nutjob.

 

Thanks. Time will tell if his approach can get the desired results.

Not many, but the media seemed to highlight it.

 

So predictable.

 

I don't know about saving the world, but he seems to be embracing the LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD title.

The leaders of Europe seem to have willingly handed him the crown for that one.

 

American presidents are very predictable

 

...bowing down to the Saudi King Abdullah, lol.

 

It was better than making out with him.

 

Very observant, Sir Nose.

 

Fixed

 

:smt038

 

It is never weakness to apologize for something that DESERVES apology. I think such a thing would make a normal person more receptive to someone with the STRENGTH to do so instead of being arrogant? Which do you think will garner more support and respect - Attempting to show goodwill to all of the nations of the earth, or bitch-slapping everyone just because we CAN and WE are the US?!!!

If MORE people in power had a peaceful mindset, there would be a lot less problems in the world. Only arrogant/violent people view apology as a "weakness".

 

What did the US do that warrants an apology?

 

True republican... Look at the history of our foreign policy and ask that again. I really don't understand how you can even ask that? When your done doing your research, you will get an idea why we have been so unpopular of late. :smt011

We aren't the only country that needs to apologize for "services" rendered in the past. Indeed, many other perpetrators need to apologize for their offenses as well. That does not excuse US however. We should be "the bigger person" and be an example. That also DOESN'T mean to apologize for every little thing that offends someone but if something we do causes extreme harm or massive casualties to innocent people either directly or indirectly, you better believe that we should apologize for it!!!

 

The mere fact that we even have to debate whether or not the U.S.A has made some terrible foreign policy mistakes is exactly what Obama was talking about. Even if America nuclear bombed a tiny innocent island because our leaders were drunk, there are some folks who will still never see anything wrong with it.

 

oh my goodness... it was a sign of respect. ain't like he got on his knees. lol